swuklink: Medieval Somerset

MEDIEVAL SOMERSETEngland

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The County of Somerset OS Map Grid Ref: ST721015

Maps from Multimap
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1:500,000

Following the Norman conquest, Somerset was divided into about seven hundred fiefdoms held almost exclusively in Norman hands. In the latter part of the 11th century, the Normans embarked on their regime of castle building here, as elsewhere in their newly-won domain. Many castles were built and some still survive such as those at Dunster and Taunton. The Conqueror held extensive and important lands in the country and the powerful Bishop of Winchester also held vast estates, centered about Taunton, in the county.

Chief amongst the families of medieval Somerset were the Beauchamps, Beauforts, De Courcis, De Mohuns, Malets and Montacutes. The Beauforts bore the titles of earls or dukes of Somerset from 1397 until 1472. Somerset was too distant from the centres of power and too isolated to take part in either the barionial rebellions of the Middle Ages or the Wars of the Roses which would bring in the Tudor dynasty.

Examples of medieval ecclesiastical architecture Bath Abbey, Wells Cathedral and the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey. Its greatest treasure, however, lies in its many parish churches, some of which have retained their Norman and Early English features (there are even some remnants of Saxon work such as the chancel of St John's at Milborne Port).

Those of the Purpendicular style are most interesting, particularly on account of their lofty and graceful towers. Examples include Glastonbury, Huish Episcopi, Kinsbury, Leigh upon mendip and Taunton.

Dunster Castle, dating from 1070, has been in the possession of the Luttrell family since 1376. Another Norman castle stands at Taunton.

Fine examples of medieval and Tudor architecture stand at Barrington, Brympton, Lytes Cary, Martock, Meare and Montacute.

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877		Battle of Swanage Bay; Alfred the Great wins first English naval victory against the Danes A Danish fleet left Wareham to relieve their comrades besieged at Exeter by King Alfreds forces. Storms drove 120 of the vessels ashore off Perveril Point before the English galleys could intercept them - the earliest known shipwrecks off the Dorset Coast
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982		Death of abbess Wulfwina at Wareham, Dorset
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